Dozens of people killed by Cyclone Phet

Cyclone Phet is the second-strongest tropical cyclone on record to develop within the Arabian Sea; only Cyclone Gonu in 2007 was more intense.

Cyclone Phet on June 1

It initially moved to the northwest direction near Oman but later turned more towards the North before reaching the Arabian Peninsula and later to a northeastern track onto Pakistan.

Cyclone Phet made landfall near the coast of Karachi on June 6 at about 16:30 GMT. “Phet” (Thai: เพชร) is a Thai word, meaning Diamond.

On June 4 in Oman, first report came that Cyclone Phet killed two persons including a Bangladeshi woman. Heavy rains drenched Oman’s east coast as strong winds uprooted trees and signboards.

By June 6, a official report further increased the death toll to 24, including 21 Omanis and 3 from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh).

Phet arrived in Pakistan which saw 133 millimetres of rainfall on June 4. Authorities evacuated tens of thousands of people to safe areas and the country’s army and navy were put on alert.Under the influence of the cyclone, disrupting the city’s railways and electricity transmission systems.

At least 15 people have been killed, mostly by electrocution, and dozens injured by Phet in Pakistan. Phet has also left thousands of Pakistanis homeless. In the evening, the storm moved past Karachi about 50 Km far and made landfall entering the land between coastlines of Thatta and Badin, causing heavy rain in the area. Hyderabad power supply was also disrupted from the downpour.

On India June 6 in Gujarat, five people have lost their lives and several others injured of cyclone Phet which brought heavy downpour in Saurashtra and Kutch region.Quoting official sources, AIR Bhuj correspondent reports that the high wind blown all over the coastal line of Kutch and Saurashtra and rain is continuing in the region till the wee hours on June 7.

Meanwhile, 15 sailors have been rescued from a sea trawler which stranded at the coast near Porbandar due to the stormy wind and rain.The electricity supply in more than 300 villages and small towns were disrupted due to the tripping of power supply feeder.